On May 12, Toni Atkins was sworn in as the Speaker of the California State Assembly. With an impressive public service record, she is the first lesbian to hold the title. Prior to becoming Speaker she served as a councilmember on the San Diego City Council, Acting Mayor of San Diego, and the Majority Leader for the State Assembly. Atkins was nominated by the Democratic Caucus and unanimously confirmed by the entire Assembly. Frontiers L.A. notes,
Joining Pérez to witness the transfer of power for the third most important position in state government was Gov. Jerry Brown, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, the state’s other constitution officers and legislative members, as well as consuls general from around the world. Rep. Karen Bass—the first elected female and first African-American female Speaker of the Assembly—administered the Oath of Office.
In her swearing statement, Atkins evoked ideas of educational and economic policy with a with a focus on California idealism to set the stage for her speakership assumption. Her spouse, Jennifer LeSar, stood beside her during the swearing in ceremony. The couple lives in San Diego with their two dogs, Haley and Joey.
Watch her swearing ceremony below, and read the full story at Frontiers L.A.